How Many Hairs Do You Lose a Day? Here’s What You Should Know

If, like most women, you leave a trail of hair on all your clothes, in the shower and on your hairbrush, you might start questioning what a normal amount of shedding actually is. You’re probably even wondering “how many hairs do you lose a day?”

You can lose anywhere from 50 to 150 hair strands a day. There is an average number of strands women lose per day, dictated by the natural cycle of hair growth. That being said, the amount of hair loss that occurs in each person can differ depending on a number of factors like genetics and age.

To clear up any confusion, we have some information that you should know about normal hair loss:

How Many Hairs Do You Lose a Day? All Things Hair Investigates

How many hairs do you lose a day? This is what you need to know. Credit: Verity Jane Smith

Why am I losing hair?

A few stray hairs in the sink? Don’t panic! Losinghair every day is a normal occurrence that happens to everyone. Here are two of the main reasons for hair loss:

The Hair Cycle

Out of the four phases of growth that each strand goes through, only the last is known as the ‘shedding’ stage. After the exigent phase, the follicle goes back into the anagen stage and the new hair starts to grow. This completes the normal cycle of hair growth and when factors like genetic programming, age or illness interrupt this cycle, it can lead to accelerated hair loss.

Hair Damage

If you have damaged or brittle hair, you are more likely to experience hair breaking off and shedding as it is more porous. You can identify this kind of breakage at the mid-lengths of the hair. Hair damage leads to a greater propensity to breakage.

How much hair loss is normal?

Hair shedding is a person-to-person issue and as such, there’s not a ‘normal’ amount of hair loss that can be attributed to all individuals. Typically, 100 to 150 strands a day is considered an average amount of hair loss from the root. That being said, both women and men can lose more or less than that depending on their hair health and age. Any factors that influence the natural hair cycle will ultimately determine how many hairs you are losing per day.

It’s also important to note that after childbirth, some women can experience elevated hair loss which happens as a natural reaction due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. In pregnancy, the hairs remain in Anagen phase. After birth, there is a lot of shedding as the hairs move through the cycle again. This will go back to normal in 6 to 8 weeks.

Dealing with hair loss? These are your next steps. Photo credit: indigitalimages.com

What to do if you’re concerned about hair loss?

If you feel that the amount of hair loss you’re experiencing is abnormal, consult your doctor. It isn’t best to take matters into your own hands. There are a number of health issues that can be linked to hair loss. A doctor would be able to steer you in the right direction.